Hello and welcome to the Coal Mining Museum of Greasque !
Le Musée : The Museum
The shaft park and the head frame
When you arrive, you’ll see many vehicles used underground, in this mine or any other mines, presenting the evolution of the techniques and tools through time.
Also the 25 meters high head frame and one of the lifts used to transport miners and coal.
This park can be visited on your own or during the guided tour, some poles with signs giving some explanations, with the miners’ words about the different kinds of work they could do.
Geology Room
This room has been conceived by our scientific comity. Representing geology in relation with coal mines of the countryside. There, many fossils and types of coal can be seen: from the mineral, then from the mineral to coal, and from fossils to the actual landscape.
Many showcases and explanatory panels lead you along the way. A special showcase with fossils and a diorama present the geological paleoenvironment of the countryside 75 million years ago.
To provide more food for thought, the geology room end with further information about the coal reserves in the world nowadays, the new energy sources, and which one is supposed to be better for the planet…
Models Room
This room presents many models of the Hély d’Oissel Shaft during its activity, of the Morandat Shaft, and of the underground work.
Engine Room
Preserved in its former state, this room has huge dimensions and shows the mechanist cabin and the last engine (used from 1958) to move the lifts.
Because, a coal mine means many different works: this one, not very well known, is still very important, essential to the daily work.
Control Room
This room presents the natural dangers of coal mines through time, and the evolution of the means of security…without forgetting the extraordinary history of the Gallery to the Sea, to solve flooding problems…
Miner’s lamps
The last part of the control room presents many lamps used in the mines through time, and the evolution of the means of security … without forgetting the extraordinary history of the Gallery of the Sea, to solve flooding problems…
Tools Room
A reconstitution of the underground…
What you’ll see in this room is a dark atmosphere, with just a few lights, like the one life lived by the miners every day. Also, you will get to learn about the tools used in the mines, from the baskets carried by the apprentices, to different mechanical tools… without forgetting Santa Barbara, the prospective saint of miners.
The Reconstituted Gallery
Outside, near the presentation of the vehicles, you’ll see a large metal shed. Held within is a reconstitution of a modern gallery from the end of the 20th century.
This gallery can only be visited on special events like the Night of the museums,in May, with ancient miners to guide you.
La visite : How to visit
The visit is a journey through the mining universe, including history of the exploitations, working conditions inside the mines, evolution of the lamps and tools thanks to the mechanization, geology, dangers and even security underground…
Whether alone or with your family, you can choose between two kinds of tour: a guided tour in English OR a tour on your own with an audio guide.
The choice could be determined by the time of your arrival at the museum and the number of people you’re with. The guided tours are available only if you’re 3 people or more.
Below 3, you will have to use an audio guide or written documents as you like. They’re both available in English, Spanish, Italian and german, and in French of course.
Whichever kind of tour you’re on, the price and access to the rooms of the museum stay the same.
We advise you to call us before coming, in order to book your guided tour in English because the English speaking guide is not always available.
A guided tour lasts about 1.5 hours.
A tour on your own could last from 1 hour to almost as long as you want it to last (depending on the closure time and your interest of course).
Prices:
Adults (from 12 years old) = 5€
Children (from 6 to 11 years old included) = 3€
Children under 6 = Free
Seniors (from 65 years old) = 4€
Groups (from 10 persons) = 4€
Opening hours:
The museum is open all year from wednesday to saturday (guided tour with booking for groups).
FROM JANUARY TO MARCH : from 9 am to 12 pm and from 2 pm to 5 pm
Guided tours at 10 am and 2.30 pm*
FROM APRIL TO SEPTEMBER : from 9 am to 12 pm and from 2 pm to 6.30 pm
Guided tours at 10 am, 2.30 pm and 4.30 pm*
FROM OCTOBER TO DECEMBER : from 9 am to 12 pm and from 2 pm to 5 pm
Guided tours at 10 am and 2.30 pm*
Open on the last sunday of each month from april to september and on each sunday of july and august from 9 am to 12 pm, and from 2 pm to 6 pm
*from 3 entries with charge
Closed time
- May 1st , November 1st and November 11th
- From December 1st to December 6th
- From December 20th to January15th
Contact us:
Phone: 04.42.69.77.00 (Ask for Lucile if you want to speak in English)
E-mail: l.decombe@museeminegreasque.fr (you can write in English) or contact@museeminegreasque.fr
Ideally situated between Aix, Marseille and Aubagne, in Provence, this Museum has been created by the association “La Carbouniero de Prouvènço”. With the aim to protect and share 5 centuries of mining heritage in the region.
Located on the Shaft Hély d’Oissel, the buildings and structures, from the time of its exploitation (1919-1962), have formed the museum today. Don’t forget to look at the head frame of the ancient shaft, and the building of the engine, classified historical and industrial monument since October 24th, 1989.
But it doesn’t stop here and includes many recent elements, in order to give you a complete view of the mines in Provence. Our tour guides will be pleased to welcome you and answer your questions.
This museum is also a Historical Mining Center, gathering lot of facts about underground resources, such as rocks, fossils and other minerals.
